Why so much confusion about salvation?

[Slayer]

I believe most of us would agree that there is a great deal of confusion about salvation, even though God has made it very simple.

The primary reason for all this confusion is the enmity of Satan and his evil angels against God and against humanity. The Devil desires all human being to go to Hell, since he knows it was created for him and his angels.

There is really no need to be confused when we take the total Gospel message and simply believe it. When someone comes along with another gospel, we should ask them a few questions, to which all the answers are "Yes" (according to Scripture):

1. Did Christ die for the sins of the whole world?

2. Does God desire the salvation of all humanity?

3. Are repentance toward God and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ sufficient to be saved?

4. Is water baptism only for believers and is it a command to every Christian?

5. Does baptism signify that the sinner has died to self and sin, and is totally submitted to God?

6. Is eternal life God's gift to the one who believes?

7. Is the Holy Spirit God's gift to the one who believes?

8. Does salvation include the New Birth, which means that the individual is a new creature in Christ?

10. Are believers predestined and elected to be perfected and glorified?

11. Does that mean that Christians must forsake the ways of the world, and walk in the Spirit by faith?

12. Does salvation include justification, sanctification, and glorification, and are Christians kept by the power of God unto the completion of this salvation?

The Church is divided around the question of salvation, there are so many different doctrines being taught in the various denominations.
The Gospel is not clear cut, it can be understood in many different ways. Some say that God chose to save people before they are born as in the "elect of God", others say that only those who follow Christ to the end will be saved. The Catholic Church teaches that there's no salvation outside the Catholic Church.

I don't think that God will hold it against the ordinary person who may have been taught the wrong Gospel. I think those who deliberately teach a false Gospel will be punished, but those who were deceived will be forgiven.

Every denomination convinces their congregation that they teach the true Gospel, only those who have spent many years studying all the different teachings can make an educated decision. The rest of the 1.49 billion Christians don't have the time to spend 3 years in seminary to become Bible scholars.
So I'm pretty sure God takes that into consideration, He expects much of those who have been given much.

 

[OneFaith]

The Church is divided around the question of salvation, there are so many different doctrines being taught in the various denominations.
The Gospel is not clear cut, it can be understood in many different ways. Some say that God chose to save people before they are born as in the "elect of God", others say that only those who follow Christ to the end will be saved. The Catholic Church teaches that there's no salvation outside the Catholic Church.

I don't think that God will hold it against the ordinary person who may have been taught the wrong Gospel. I think those who deliberately teach a false Gospel will be punished, but those who were deceived will be forgiven.

Every denomination convinces their congregation that they teach the true Gospel, only those who have spent many years studying all the different teachings can make an educated decision. The rest of the 1.49 billion Christians don't have the time to spend 3 years in seminary to become Bible scholars.
So I'm pretty sure God takes that into consideration, He expects much of those who have been given much.

Sorry, but God does expect all of us to be bible scholars...

"They studied the scriptures daily to see if what the apostles said was true."

"Study to show yourself approved onto God."

"They worship Me in vain, their doctrine is merely human rules."

"Ask, seek, and knock and the door (of understanding) will be opened onto you."

Jesus told a parable about a man who sold all he had to buy a piece of land in order to search for a valuable pearl within it. The is how we are to search for the truth within the scriptures. You don't need to go to bible college. God uses the unwise to shame the wise- meaning even a third grader can understand God's Word where college professors cannot. Because most of them take the wrong approach. All that is needed is ears to hear and eyes to see. (an open mind and prayer, unbiased of what you personally want the truth to be).

Whether we study it or not, we will be judged by the rules therein- so it's best to know what they are. Each of us must study for ourselves.

 

[Slayer]

Sorry, but God does expect all of us to be bible scholars...

"They studied the scriptures daily to see if what the apostles said was true."

"Study to show yourself approved onto God."

"They worship Me in vain, their doctrine is merely human rules."

"Ask, seek, and knock and the door (of understanding) will be opened onto you."

Jesus told a parable about a man who sold all he had to buy a piece of land in order to search for a valuable pearl within it. The is how we are to search for the truth within the scriptures. You don't need to go to bible college. God uses the unwise to shame the wise- meaning even a third grader can understand God's Word where college professors cannot. Because most of them take the wrong approach. All that is needed is ears to hear and eyes to see. (an open mind and prayer, unbiased of what you personally want the truth to be).

Whether we study it or not, we will be judged by the rules therein- so it's best to know what they are. Each of us must study for ourselves.

I've heard it said that you can study the Bible your whole life and still not know everything about it. The problem is most Christians don't agree with each other, they all arrive at different conclusions. That's why we have so many different Christian denominations, so how can the average person know if they have understood the scriptures correctly.

Our Church minister said, we are not saved by how well we know the Bible. He quoted Jesus when He said that everyone who believes in Him will be saved, he reminded me that all of those Christians who lived before our modern times never had access to a Bible. They were all saved by simply believing in Jesus as their savior.

Yes it's good to study scripture, but we can't say we are saved by how well we know scripture. There are people still living in jungles who die without hearing the Gospel, I'm sure God will deal differently with them as He will with us.

 

[OstrichSmiling]

I think it should be pointed out that at times that in a anonymous forum such as a community online, we can be encountering those who are not actually in the body of Christ.
If someone enters in and is antisemitic and supports the Replacement Theology doctrine, they will have no understanding of what the actual Biblical salvation teaching of Jewish Christ is about. Their personal sin of racism and prejudice and separatism will cause them to interpolate , rewrite, modify, the truth to fit their preference.

Jesus kept it very simple and countless people were saved because of his gift of teaching. Then and to this day.

 

[carl11]

The Catholic Church teaches that there's no salvation outside the Catholic Church.

On a side note the reformed churches teach the same thing and I dare say so do many other churches !!

 

[Latour]

People are looking for every way possible to be saved other than going directly to God.

 

[Slayer]

On a side note the reformed churches teach the same thing and I dare say so do many other churches !!

I attend a Reformed Church, where they teach us to that the Bible is always the final authority in all matters. There are just too many scriptures describing salvation as Gods choice, yes I know there are some verses that seem to say it's mans choice but all of them were directed at believers.

 

[notuptome]

I attend a Reformed Church, where they teach us to that the Bible is always the final authority in all matters. There are just too many scriptures describing salvation as Gods choice, yes I know there are some verses that seem to say it's mans choice but all of them were directed at believers.

The Reformed church teaches correctly that the bible is the final authority on Spiritual matters. Where they err is where their opinion is inserted into what God has said in His word. Anytime one verse is pitted against another error is present.

For the cause of Christ
Roger

 

[ForestGreenCook]

The Reformed church teaches correctly that the bible is the final authority on Spiritual matters. Where they err is where their opinion is inserted into what God has said in His word. Anytime one verse is pitted against another error is present.

For the cause of Christ
Roger

That is right Roger, all scriptures must harmonize, so, how do you interpret 1 Cor 2:14 to make it harmonize?

 

[notuptome]

That is right Roger, all scriptures must harmonize, so, how do you interpret 1 Cor 2:14 to make it harmonize?

God has concluded all those natural men in unbelief that He God might have mercy upon all.

Ro 11:32 For God hath concluded them all in unbelief, that he might have mercy upon all.

For the cause of Christ
Roge

 

[carl11]

I attend a Reformed Church, where they teach us to that the Bible is always the final authority in all matters. There are just too many scriptures describing salvation as Gods choice, yes I know there are some verses that seem to say it's mans choice but all of them were directed at believers.

I was referring to the fact that the reformed church in their confessions say that apart from them or outside of them there is no salvation.

 

[preston39]

....I don't think that God will hold it against the ordinary person who may have been taught the wrong Gospel. I think those who deliberately teach a false Gospel will be punished, but those who were deceived will be forgiven..... don't have the time to spend 3 years in seminary to become Bible scholars.
So I'm pretty sure God takes that into consideration, He expects much of those who have been given much.

S...,

I think you better give that some more analysis. The Bible tells us that we...you and I...are responsible for applying G-d's word in our life. In no way will G-d forgive you and I for not validating teaching...including mine.
We must follow scriptures. I have found no conflict in scriptures that would have an impact on my eternal salvation.

 

[Slayer]

I was referring to the fact that the reformed church in their confessions say that apart from them or outside of them there is no salvation.

I never heard our pastor say that only those in the Reformed Church will be saved, he actually tells us that God has people in all denominations. Nobody is saved by their denomination, we can have a personal relationship with the Lord in any denomination.

 

[Slayer]

S...,

I think you better give that some more analysis. The Bible tells us that we...you and I...are responsible for applying G-d's word in our life. In no way will G-d forgive you and I for not validating teaching...including mine.
We must follow scriptures. I have found no conflict in scriptures that would have an impact on my eternal salvation.

Yes we must follow scriptures, to the best of our understanding but there are many different ways to understand scripture so I'm sure God will forgive us if we get it wrong. Jesus said, as many as believe in Him shall be saved. I don't know of any scriptures which say we must correctly understand all the scriptures to be saved.

The Church has always been divided into many camps over many different views on many scriptures. We can't claim that our denomination is the only one which has the correct interpretation, I know most do say that but our Church doesn't. We believe our position is Biblically correct but we are not saying that other Churches who don't agree with us are not proper Christian Churches.

 

[Nehemiah6]

There are just too many scriptures describing salvation as Gods choice...

"God's choice" is that all human beings should be saved.

But since God compels no one to be saved, He COMMANDS all men everywhere to repent.

Will all repent? No

Will all be saved? No

Will God pick a few for salvation ? No

Does God invite all to be saved? Yes

I could back up all of this with many Scriptures, but that is the essence of "God's choice".

 

[carl11]

I never heard our pastor say that only those in the Reformed Church will be saved, he actually tells us that God has people in all denominations. Nobody is saved by their denomination, we can have a personal relationship with the Lord in any denomination.

I would have to disagree with you on that a little bit only due to the fact that the churches are and were the primarily outlet to hear the gospel and so in that aspect people are saved by their domination. As far as you pastor saying that only those are saved in the reformed churches, he will not say that, why would he ?

But you can ask him about the Belgic confession Article 28 and just listen to see what kind of response you will receive.

 

[theanointedsinner]

Premise 1: God draws the unsaved to desiring salvation
Premise 2: the one that desires salvation, decides to place their faith in Jesus
Premise 3: once they place their faith in Jesus, the Holy Spirit enters them
Premise 4: the Holy Spirit seals them onto the day of redemption

which of these premises are most disagreed upon?

Premise 4 is kept

 

[Slayer]

"God's choice" is that all human beings should be saved.

But since God compels no one to be saved, He COMMANDS all men everywhere to repent.

Will all repent? No

Will all be saved? No

Will God pick a few for salvation ? No

Does God invite all to be saved? Yes

I could back up all of this with many Scriptures, but that is the essence of "God's choice".

I'm sure you can support you position with many scriptures, but so can those who hold to election and predestination. I heard someone say recently that all the scriptures which seem to offer salvation to everyone are actually directed towards believers.

Below is a good summary of the two views and their supporting scriptures. I don't expect it to change your position but it may be worth having a quick read, for your own edification.

https://carm.org/does-regeneration-precede-faith

 

[preston39]

Yes we must follow scriptures, to the best of our understanding but there are many different ways to understand scripture so I'm sure God will forgive us if we get it wrong. Jesus said, as many as believe in Him shall be saved. I don't know of any scriptures which say we must correctly understand all the scriptures to be saved.

The Church has always been divided into many camps over many different views on many scriptures. We can't claim that our denomination is the only one which has the correct interpretation, I know most do say that but our Church doesn't. We believe our position is Biblically correct but we are not saying that other Churches who don't agree with us are not proper Christian Churches.

S....,

All we need to know is repentance, baptism and living a righteous life according to G-d's word.
Who can't understand that ......is in trouble of violating G-d's word.

 

[Slayer]

S....,

All we need to know is repentance, baptism and living a righteous life according to G-d's word.
Who can't understand that ......is in trouble of violating G-d's word.

It sounds simple enough, yet there is so much disagreement on things like what causes a person to repent. Some say it's a personal decision, others say God gives it as a gift to some and not others.

Some say living a righteous life is only possible if the Holy Spirit indwells a person and others say, we can do it by having faith and resisting temptation as much as possible and controlling ourselves.

The average person can be persuaded to believe many different teachings depending on how convincing their pastor of minister is. I have changed my view several times on the meaning of many scriptures, after hearing different views being presented.

I had a Catholic education and upbringing, then I joined a Pentecostal Church as a teenager and now I'm a member of a Reformed Baptist Church. So people's views can change as we mature, then there are those who stick with what they were born into at any cost. Most of my Catholic and Muslim friends say "I was born a Catholic and I will die a Catholic".

Everyone is at a different stage of their journey, so we can't tell who is on the right path and who will finish the race well. I believe God has people in every denomination, He can even save those who have been deceived. He can even use false preaching to draw people to Himself.